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If it were me, I'd look into getting a hotel so I'd have a base for a shower, luggage storage, relaxing etc. - the Radisson is near to the airport and gets good reviews - why don't you contact them and see what they offer for short term stays? If you are shoppers, there are several areas in South Delhi that might be worth checking out - let us know and we will advise.

I'd get a hotel for the day. There's a lot to be said for having the opportunity to shower and re-pack, especially if you've got a long flight home! Even more so if you're coming from somewhere like a national park.

You might ask at your Delhi hotel before you leave the first time and try to negotiate a good price while they still remember you.

If not, arrrange for a driver for the day. You can leave your luggage in the car and have him take you shopping, out to dinner, etc.

If you just want to stash your luggage in a safe spot, plan ahead to have a late dinner in a hotel, and then leave the bags with them till after dinner.

Hi,
A local operator should be able to find a 'Day room' at half the normal cost, and from there take a trip to the Kashmir Gate and St James's Church, created by, and resting place of Colonel James Skinner, who raised Skinner's Horse, a famous regiment in Indian history.
Go to Chor Bizarre Restaurant in the Broadway Hotel. The name means 'Thieves' Market' and the decor shows you why, including an open-top 1932 Fiat car, being used as the salad bar!

The above recommendations are good ones. Whatever you do, donít arrive at the airport more than about 2-hours before your flight because they wonít allow you in the terminal before that time. You can find a place in the waiting line to enter the terminal sometime before that time (maybe one-half hour), because it will take a while to get inside. There is a waiting lounge across the street that is not clean or comfortable so I advise to avoid that if possible. We made all of the above mistakes.

A hotel for a day is not a bad idea; but if you donít want to do that, then hire a car and driver who will meet you at the airport, keep your luggage all day, take you around to where you want to go in Delhi, and then take you to the intíl airport. They can wait at sites for you and at restaurants/hotels while you have lunch and dinner. Two reccos are below. The price would be quite reasonable, certainly cheaper than a hotel room.

Send them an e-mail and they will give you a quote for picking you up at the airport, plus car service around Delhi. I think airport pickup is about Rs500 (about US$10), but confirm this as I have not used them for airport pickup. I know they charge Rs600 (about US$13) for an 8-hour day of touring within Delhi. They have older cars but perfectly clean and fine, if you want an Ambassador (a fun way to see Delhi) ask for one. They also have Toyota Qualis SUVs, not really necessary in Delhi, and would probably cost more.

My company uses them in Delhi; they do not have e-mail which is a bit more inconvenient for you. They have newer cars. They are a bit more expensive. Airport pickup is about Rs.500.

I am not sure what you will have done in Delhi on your first visit, I never seem to run out of things to do there. What are your plans for your first 3 days? What sort of things to you like to do? Will you have been to any of the museums on your first trip?

For hotels, as mentioned above, try the Radisson, which is quite close to the intíl airport. It has a very popular kebab place, quite casual, its like a TGIF for kebabs, that might be fun for dinner.

The Grand Hotel on Nelson Mandela Road was a Hyatt until about a year ago, and is less than 4 miles from the airport and would also be a thought. (There is also a Grand Hotel Intercontinental in Connaught Circus in downtown New Delhi, so don't confuse the two.)

The Trident Hilton out near the airport has a wonderful Indian restaurant and a good all-purpose restaurant as well, and would be a thought as well. It would be a great place to stay for the day, albeit quite expensive and itís almost always full. They have a wonderful spa.

Thanks for your suggestions...My wife and I are flying the American Airlines flight from Delhi to Chicago and according to American's website, we need to check in 3.5 hours prior to departure!

So I will have to call American Airlines when I'm in Delhi to figure out what time I really need to check in.

I'm not 100% sure what we are doing while we are in Delhi. I think we may try and check out Old Delhi and the Red Fort. We are taking a day trip to Agra, so I guess that leaves 2 days on our trip to Delhi. A co-worker of mine just went to the new temple in Delhi and said it was outstanding...so we might do that too.